Shadrach (1998)

In 1935, 99-year-old former slave Shadrach asks to be buried on the soil where he was born to slavery, and that land is owned by the large Dabney family, consisting of Vernon, Trixie and ... See full summary »

Director:

Susanna Styron

Writers:

William Styron (short story), Susanna Styron (screenplay),

Stars:

Martin Sheen, John Franklin Sawyer, Scott Terra

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Sheen	...	Narrator (voice)
John Franklin Sawyer	...	Shadrach
Scott Terra	...	Paul
Ginnie Randall	...	Virginia
Darrell Larson	...	Father
Deborah Hedwall	...	Mother
Jonathan Parks Jordan	...	Middle Mole
Erin Underwood	...	Lucinda
Alice Rogers	...	Cloris
Monica Bugajski	...	Edmonia
Daniel Treat	...	Little Mole
Andie MacDowell	...	Trixie
Michael Ruff	...	Smut
Muse Watson	...	Captain
Doug Chancey	...	Dock Worker

Storyline

In 1935, 99-year-old former slave Shadrach asks to be buried on the soil where he was born to slavery, and that land is owned by the large Dabney family, consisting of Vernon, Trixie and their seven children, and to bury a black man on that land is a violation of strict Virginia law.

---

Plot Keywords:

slavery | slave | law | virginia | black american | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and brief sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shadrach - Die Heimkehr des Fremden

Filming Locations:

Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$16,669 (USA) (25 September 1998)

Gross:

$20,167 (USA) (25 September 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Millennium Films, Nu Image Films, Tidewater Pictures Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name Shadrach is Biblical, and comes from the Book of Daniel. Shadrach, along with Meshach and Abednego was one of the three men of God who were put into a fiery furnace, but who came out unscathed, because the Lord had protected them. They had been put in there by Nebuchadnezzer, the King of Babylon, when they refused to bow to an idol. (Daniel 3:1-29)

---

Goofs

The film is set in 1935. When Paul walks into the house past his father and up the stairs (at the beginning of the film), a smoke detector is visible on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs.

---

Quotes

[Paul has learned curse words from the Dabneys and is yelling them into the closet.]
Paul: Son of a bitch, whorehouse, Jesus Christ, pisspot, asshole!
Mrs. Whitehurst: Come on, Paul, it's time to go to church!

---

Soundtracks

"Titanic"
Performed by Bessie Jones, Hobart Smith and The Sea Island Singers
Traditional, arranged by Alan Lomax, Bessie Jones and Hobart Smith
Used by permission of Alan Lomax

User Reviews

Realistic and tear jerking

I feel sorry for anyone who didn't like this movie. It's probably one of the best I've seen. Harvey Keitle played his part perfectly, right down to the accent. His character tried to give the impression that he was a hard man, but I really believe he was as soft hearted as his little girl. He just was ashamed to admit it. His rough tenderness made its self apparent in the last part of the movie, when he announces that Shadrachs wish would be granted. This is a movie I'd recommend for almost anyone. I think parents should be discreet when letting children watch it, because it does contain some rather unacceptable language. The language has it's place in the movie, but you still might not want your kids hearing it.

Actually, death ain't much